Automatic apparatus for controlling the period of artificial illumination.



. J. H. GILL. AUTOMATIC! APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE PERIOD OFARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATION.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17, 1913.

1,097,176. P ltented May 19, 1914.

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J. H. GILL.

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE PERIOD OF ARTIFICIALILLUMINATION.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.17, 1913.

1,097,176. Patented May 19,191A

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Wei-$266 s e -s J. H. GILL.

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE PERIOD OF ARTIFICIALILLUMINATION.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17, 1913.

1,097,1 76. Patented May 19, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HARLEY GILL, F DUNEDIN NEW ZEALAND.

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE PERIOD OF ARTIFICIALILLUMINATION,

Patented May 19, 1914.

Application filed January 17, 1913. Serial No. 742,696.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HARLEY GILL, commercial traveler, a subject ofKing George V of Great Britain, residing at 40 Dowling street, Dunedin,in the Dominion of New Zealand, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Improved Automatic Apparatus for Controlling the Periodof Artificial Illumination, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide automatic apparatus to lightup and extinguish the lights of a shop or premises to obviate thenecessity of the person in charge of such shop or premises visiting thesame for the sole purpose of lighting up and turning ofl the lights.

The followlng is a description of the apparatus with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a double actionapparatus in combination with an electric light switch. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a single actionapparatus. Fig. 4 is a front view of the single action apparatus showingthe method of exposing the back of the clock. Fig. 5 is a side elevationof Fig. 3. Figs. 6 and 7 are views of the supporting bracket inelevation and plan. Figs. 8 and 9 are views of the spring clip in planand elevation. Fig. 10 is a fragmental perspective view-showing awinding drum substituted for the thumb screw piece when the apparatus isused in combination with gas meters.

In combination with the invention an ordinary alarm clock (1) is usedwhich is mounted ona suitably shaped bracket. The bracket may beattached to a switch board or to a board fixed near to a gas meter sothat a pull chain (2) may be conveniently coupled to an electric switch(3) when used with electric light fittings, or to a valve lever (4)attached to a meter when used with gas fittings. The bracket supportingthe clock consists of a narrow band of metal (5) having its ends (5) and(5) turned outward at right angles to the face of the switch board;screw holes are provided in the body part of the metal band to enablethe bracket to be screwed to the switch board. The said band (5) carriesa depending metal strip (6) which is split at its upper end, the leg (6)resulting from this splitting being secured directly to band (5) whilethe other leg (6 is bent laterally outward. The lower end (6) of strip(6) is also bent outward, the two bent parts (6) and (6) forming asupport for a spring (7) and rod (8). The rod is adapted to slide in theoutwardly bent portions (6") and (6) but is held normally in theposition illustrated in Fig. (6) under the influence of the spring (7).

The clock (1) is supported by an encircling spring band (9) which issuitably affixed to it and is hinged at (5 to the band (5) for thepurpose of enabling the clock to swing thereon to expose the back (Fig.4) when it is desired to efiectadjustment.

An advantageous method of fixing the spring band (9) is illustrated inthe drawings and comprises a staple shaped piece (10) adapted to engagewith the rolled ends (9) and (9 of said band (9), there being a slot (5)in the bent end portion (5 to engage with the said rolled ends (9 and (9and retain the clock in the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5.The metal band (6) previously referred to as being riveted to the part(5) supporting the spring (7) and rod (8) is mounted preferably in sucha position that it projects immediately under and in line with thewinding screw (11) which winds the spring of the alarm mechanism of theclock. The spring (7) is adapted to be adjusted to increase or reduceits strength as desired, and the metal rod (8), which is surrounded bythe spring (7), is fitted with a washer piece (8 to form a shoulder forthe spring (7 the said washer being adapted to be screwed upward so asto compress the spring, or downward to reduce the strength of thespring, as may be desired. The upper end of the rod (8) has a loop (12)formed thereon, the point (13) of which loop projects at right anglesfor the purpose of engaging with the thumb screw (11) when the web part(11*) of said thumb screw is in a horizontal position. The chain or cord(2) is attached to the loop (12), and has a ring (15) engaged with thelever (3) of the switch of the electric light fitting, or with the valvelever (4:) attached to the meter.

To set the clock, disconnect the catch, turn the clock on its hinge, andexpose the back as illustrated in Fig. 4; adjust the clock in theordinary way so that the alarm will go off at a predetermined time, thethumb screw (11) being left horizontal. The clock is then turned on itshinge as in the manner of closing a door and is secured in position bythe fitting before referred to, comprising the rolled ends (9) and (9and the staple (10) to couple said ends together. The metal rod (8),which is provided with a knob (8 at its lower end, is pressed upwardagainst the influence of the spiral spring (7), and the projecting point(13) of the loop (12) is placed at rest on the web piece (11 of thethumb screw (11). The chain (2) may then be attached to the switch (13),and as the time passes and the hands on the clock indicate the time atwhich the apparatus is set, the alarm mechanism is set in motion, thethumb screw (11) revolves and the projecting piece (13) slides off theweb piece (11 and a pull is exerted on the chain under the influence ofthe spring (7), operating the lever of the switch (3) and therebycutting oil the light. In some cases it might be necessary to providefor a longer travel of the chain than could be conveniently obtained bythe spring actuated method described above, such as for instance, in thecase of the valve lever (4) of a gas meter. The thumb screw (11) wouldbe replaced by a reel (16) (Fig. 10) and the chain would be lengthened,and on the alarm mechanism of the clock being operated, the chain wouldbecome wound upon the reel (16), the diameter of the said reel being soarranged that a reasonable number of revolutions would cause the leverto travel a predetermined distance and shut old the gas.

In the double acting apparatus (Figs. 1 and 2), the spring actuated pullchain for both clocks is of the same design, but the spring (7) ispreferably the stronger spring to overcome any slight resistance fromthe spring (7) on the lower apparatus.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In atime-controlled apparatus, the combination, with a movable controllingmember and a flexible operating element connected therewith; of a baseboard; a band having its central portion connected to said board and itsends bent laterally outward at right angles thereto, one of said endsbeing slotted; a clock having an alarm mechanism provided with a windingdevice; a spring metal band encircling said clock and affixed to thesame, said band being hinged to the other end of the first-named band,to permit said clock to swing into and out of operative position, thesecond-named band having its own ends rolled and adapted for engagementwith the slotted end of said first-named band to hold said clock in suchposition; and means controlled by said winding device for exerting apull upon said flexible operating element to move said controllingmember.

2. An artificial light controlling apparatus comprising in combinationan ordinary alarm clock, a bracket supporting the said clock consistingof a narrow band of metal having its ends turned outward at right anglesto its face, a second metal band, the top end of which is split, oneportion retained flat and the other portion bent outward at right anglesto its face, a portion of the lower end of the said second metal bandbeing turned outward to support the lower end of a rod, a rod having aloop, the end thereof projecting to form a catch, the lower end of thesaid rod being threaded, a washer screwed thereon, a spring mounted onthe said rod, a spring band clip adapted to surround the clock and holdit in position, the said spring clip being hinged to the first mentionednarrow band of metal and the ends of the said spring clip being rolledto engage a staple shaped clip, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JOHN HARLEY GILL. Witnesses:

ROBERT PARK, Jnr., HELINA MACDONALD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

